I tried Michelin M12 and S12 on the 690 and after 500 km, 30% of the knobs on the rear wheel were gone. Reported missing on duty. Needless to say the behavior was similar to some compacting equipments.

Paul Jr

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i never said rear use for the m 12
i have found the front to last longer on my 690 than it does on my husaberg and it weighs at least 50 lbs less than the 690

Bob,
You have to let the front tire touch the ground every once and a while

The other day a rider suggested a TKC 80 for an intermediate front tire....today a friend whose 690 was stolen from his driveway last summer gave me a TKC front tire when I was buying a rear brake rotor from him (new for $70 )....

I still would like to replace the connector (it's well worn now from all the wire replacements and rework), so if anyone finds a replacement source, please share.

Thanks again--let's ride!!

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This looks like it. It's from a 2004 KTM spare part connector catalog that someone shared here. PM me if you want a PDF copy. It's the only place I've found part numbers for common connectors. (It's not to scale as far as length goes, to add to the confusion; and yes, I see the joke that will follow.)

In the EU running dot or not is more of an insurance issue: if you run tyres that are not road approved and get in to an accident your not insured, even if it's no your mistake.

Wont the US insurances bother you in the same way?

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I'm surprised there's not some obscure boiler plate language in the policy that provides a loop hole for the insurance carrier in the event some component of the insured vehicle is not DOT approved. They're all about not paying out under some bs clause.

All i could see is a blanket tire exclusion, under collision coverage.

Like Aaron said, are you stating fact, or just an assumption on your part ?

In the EU running dot or not is more of an insurance issue: if you run tyres that are not road approved and get in to an accident your not insured, even if it's no your mistake.

Wont the US insurances bother you in the same way?

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It's not quite like that even in the EU, but if your bike has certain non-approved changes - that get discovered when you are in an accident - then it is likely that the burden of proof will be upon you to show that there was no causality. And rightfully so, IMO.

For example if you are running sticky racing tires then it won't be hard to prove that your stopping distance was not negatively affected, but the same can't be said for pure offroad racing knobbies if you run them on the street.

This is why in a few countries in the EU (for example Germany) the vehicle manufacturer together with the government has to establish a list of tested and approved tires, specified down to the exact manufacturer, model, load rating, and speed index.

Nanny state for sure, but it has both advantages and disadvantages. Of course this applies only if you are running on public roads, where the choices you make are possibly directly affecting others.

It's not quite like that even in the EU, but if your bike has certain non-approved changes - that get discovered when you are in an accident - then it is likely that the burden of proof will be upon you to show that there was no causality. And rightfully so, IMO.

For example if you are running sticky racing tires then it won't be hard to prove that your stopping distance was not negatively affected, but the same can't be said for pure offroad racing knobbies if you run them on the street.

This is why in a few countries in the EU (for example Germany) the vehicle manufacturer together with the government has to establish a list of tested and approved tires, specified down to the exact manufacturer, model, load rating, and speed index.

Nanny state for sure, but it has both advantages and disadvantages. Of course this applies only if you are running on public roads, where the choices you make are possibly directly affecting others.

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...and somewhere KTM has a PDF (here) with the approved tyres. The TKC's are M+S rated, so you are also covered in winter in Germany, where it is a requirement in the winter months. They also have non brand specific tyre size for the 690 listed

I ran the Michelin Desert Racing tires in Baja. They were very durable but the front was very skittish on sand covered hard pack. I was running about 20psi which was probably high but I did not want any pinch flats either. Normally I run TKC-80s and have been happy enough with them for a highway/trail tire although wear rate is pretty high.

VR,
I think 18-22 is a good front tire pressure for Baja and similar conditions.....the bent rims in Baja are most often due to underinflated tires

The TKC 80 has very soft sidewalls....they are good while they last.....first half of tread wear seems to occur fairly quickly, and the last half of the knobs takes longer to wear down in my experience...

I will use the free TKC front tire for a long ride where gravel and pavement are predominant road surfaces....the Mitas E09 Dakar for trips with mostly gravel and dirt, and the Pirelli XCMH for the rougher applications....

I ran the Michelin Desert Racing tires in Baja. They were very durable but the front was very skittish on sand covered hard pack. I was running about 20psi which was probably high but I did not want any pinch flats either. Normally I run TKC-80s and have been happy enough with them for a highway/trail tire although wear rate is pretty high.

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The desert tires are durable and work great around 13 to 15 psi but they are not particularly good tires. What they gain in durability they lose in just about everything else.

The desert tires are durable and work great around 13 to 15 psi but they are not particularly good tires. What they gain in durability they lose in just about everything else.

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I agree. I spent a lot of time slipping and sliding around on those things. Of course then I just decided to go with it and ride the 690 real loose, which is pretty damn fun until the "running off the road and crashing because the front won't hook up" part:huh

VR,
I think 18-22 is a good front tire pressure for Baja and similar conditions.....the bent rims in Baja are most often due to underinflated tires

The TKC 80 has very soft sidewalls....they are good while they last.....first half of tread wear seems to occur fairly quickly, and the last half of the knobs takes longer to wear down in my experience...

I will use the free TKC front tire for a long ride where gravel and pavement are predominant road surfaces....the Mitas E09 Dakar for trips with mostly gravel and dirt, and the Pirelli XCMH for the rougher applications....

Now, how about oil?????

(just joking)....I am happy with Motul 10-60 full synth

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I like the MotoZ H/T , MT21 front combo myself for all around riding. I have not run many "real" knobbies, but was really impressed with the XCMH front on dirt, it just burns up pretty quick on pavement IMO.

I ran the Michelin Desert Racing tires in Baja. They were very durable but the front was very skittish on sand covered hard pack. I was running about 20psi which was probably high but I did not want any pinch flats either. Normally I run TKC-80s and have been happy enough with them for a highway/trail tire although wear rate is pretty high.

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I think any front tire in Baja will be skittish, I think its the nature of the terrain to a certain extent. I found the same to be true with the Motoz HT front on my SE. It felt flat the whole time but it wasn't.... until it suddenly was

I think any front tire in Baja will be skittish, I think its the nature of the terrain to a certain extent. I found the same to be true with the Motoz HT front on my SE. It felt flat the whole time but it wasn't.... until it suddenly was

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Yeah you are right. Hard pack dirt with a coating of sand is asking a lot from a tire.....